Hearts have had to rely on fund-raising from fans to keep them afloat and face the first of three £500,000 payments to the taxman this summer.

But the prospect of a fresh regime taking control has been hailed as a step forward in safeguarding the club’s future.

Former Jambos winger Preston said: “It’s quite positive. I think there have been people in the UK trying to buy the club, there are also Scandinavians interested and ex-Livingston owner Angelo Massone and the Hearts Foundation.

“So there are a lot of people hopefully trying to get the club and if that was the case it would be terrific news for Hearts.

“Hopefully if they can get to the end of the season they can run their own ship.”